Pinoy chef featured in New York cuisine fest

A United States-trained Filipino chef starred in the Philippine Consulate General's cuisine presentation in New York for May. Chef Alex Dino was the featured artist for the "Best of the Philippines on Fifth Avenue Project" for May, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

"Chef Dino is the Grand Champion of the Sears Chef Challenge 2010 and was named one of Fortune Magazine's Best Cafeteria Chefs for 2008," it said in a news release posted on the DFA website. The DFA said Dino, in his new book "Modern Tofu," gives a new twist on tofu, using it as an ingredient in hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. Dino also runs a catering company, Sachet d'Epices, which specializes in Asian and European cuisine. On May 19, he demonstrated at the Philippine Center some of his cooking techniques, which served as an introduction to the joys, and the "toys" used in molecular gastronomy. "For many in the audience, it was their first time to see the use of a 'Sous Vide Immersion Circulator,' a 'Smoking gun' which utilizes various wood chips to infuse a smoke-taste to food, and chemicals like calcium lactate and sodium alginate to reshape familiar foods into unfamiliar forms," the DFA said. His menu for the evening such as "Cod in Citrus-Beer Brodo and Balsamic Caviar," "Tofu and Alfalfa with Sake-Pepper Mignonette Paired with Chilled Sake and Mango Balls" and "Sunny-side mango" made use of Philippine products, such as San Miguel Beer and carabao mangos. Samples of his menu were also handed out to the guests. The "balsamic caviar" was a particular favorite, the DFA said. Best of the Philippines Since 2010, the "Best of the Philippines on Fifth Avenue Project" has featured Filipino designers and artisans who received global acclaim for their excellence in their craft, while simultaneously providing a showcase of the Philippine creative industries. The featured industries involved high-value fashion, industrial design, multimedia, handicrafts or culinary arts. Established and up-and-coming artists in various fields who receive acclaim abroad and who source their products from any of the Philippine creative industries have been invited to showcase their work at the Philippine Center windows fronting Fifth Avenue for a period of one month. Dino's cooking demonstration, hosted by the Consulate General, is the first attempt to employ cuisine as a vehicle for introducing the culture and flavor of the Philippines to a wider audience. Last year, the "Best of the Philippines on Fifth Avenue" project has provided a spotlight on events' planner and designer who showcased his book "An Event to Remember" Jerry Sibal, fashion designer and SUPIMA award winner Robin Tomas, acclaimed accessories designers Brian Tenorio and Emi Jorge, and fashion designer and champion of Philippine abaca Dita Sandico Ong. - VVP, GMA News